WHAT if Government had engaged local communities
in the formulation of coastal policy and adopted responsibility in
local management practices.

Would the Rossport Five have ended up in jail?

If the Government had limited public responsibility
for possible risks and damage and transferred it to the direct beneficiaries
and investors, things would have been different.

In the case of Cork Harbour, there are so many
similar aspects - Ispaat, and especially health. What if they had
incorporated risk aspects into planning and investment policies, assessing
costs and consequences of different policy options?

They would have raised public awareness, respect
and understanding of the coastal environment and Cork harbour could
have remained the best reception area in Europe.